Huntsville gazette., 1887-04-09
CALIFORNIA; SENSATION.


Coming to Light.
SAN Francisco, April AT last the
mystery is solved and the question, "Who
is Kissane2" that set the city by the ears
for the past week is answered. William
Kissane is known here as VIM. K Rogers,
wealthy farmer of Sonoma County.
There are many strongly romantic feat
ures in the story. not the least remark
able being the fact that Kissane has a
brother living in San Francisco under an
other name, and who is one of her most
influential citizens. 1t is this brother S
influence, embracing as it does railroad
and legal and masonic circles, that has so
effectually stopped the publica tion of
the expose. Although the name was
known Friday night, and although it is
known that more than one paper had the
full story in type, not one word was
printed Saturday morning, and, in the
evening the New York dispatches con-
corning the matter were suppressed. A
German paper-The Demokrat-alone
broke the compact of silence
Kissane's story is this He had shoe
factory in Cincinnati in 1853, which burned
down in mysterious manner one night.
The fire also destroyed an adjoining soap
factory Of Pope Il Corder, bringing the
families of the members of this firm to
beggary. A son-in-law of Pope named
Darr came to California few years ago,
recognized Kissane, and notified the
Chemical Bank. After the fire Kissane
and others chartered the steamer Martha
Washington, and ostensibly loaded her
with boots and shoes. During her trip the
steamer was destroyed by fire, several
lives being lost Charges of mur-
der and arson followed Kissane
joined Walkers Nicaragua expedi-
ton, deserted in 1861, and went
to Virginia City, New. There he entered
into partnership with man named Girls
som, who recently died IN the poor-house,
and Henderson, now a wealthy man of
Santa Clara County. Together they OBJ
tanned mine, paying $4,000 a month,
which soon made them rich. Rogers,
with his share, bought the OLD Surf estate.
near Sonora, and settled down into
country life. AS to w. K. Rogers, he be-
come a friend of Colonel Peter Donohue
and was associated with him in rail
road building in 1873 He became county
supervisor. was m lde president of the
board in 1875, and has served without in
terruption ever since.
Though the present disclosure is the
first IN the nature of public sensation, il
is by no means the first with which he has
been th1 eatened. In q quarrel with the
Sonoma County paper, in 1879, Rogers
career was limited at, and from what can
be learned the old man has been pretty
freely bled. He is big, tall fellow, car
rying his years and experience wonder
fully well, lives in good style, and is
father of two children and step-father tC
two grown-up daughters, having married
a widow. He enjoys the reputation of be-
ing an extremely charitable and most in
dulgent parent.
Kissane's family reaches from high to
low. At the top stands the extremely
prominent citizen referred to, next comes
Rogers, and last comes teamster also
living in San Francisco wno still keeps the
name of Kissane. The ellest Kissane
married twice, his second wife being the
mother Of the influential citizen referred
to, SO that between him and Rogers half
brotherhood only exists.
ASUIT FOR BLACKMAIL-KIssANE'S BROTHER.
NEW YORK, April 4.-The officers Of the
Chemical Bank have received telegram
from General Darr, who is in San Fran
CISCO informing them that he had revealed
the identity of KissarN in that city. To
reporter Mr. J. E. Parsons, of the bank
subsequently acknowledged that VIM. K.
Rogers was the assumed name of Kis-
sane. The president of the bank, George
G. Williams, sald: 1.-THE man has not re
formed. Half Of his criminality IN the
past has not been told, and his career in
California has not been entirely free from
dishonor." Mr. Williams would not say
any thing definitely as to the offenses
committed by Kissane in California, ex-
cept to intimate that when last heard
from he had been on a "spree," ard that
his domestic life was not without STAIN
General Darr has taken some initiative
steps toward bringing an action agalns'
Mr. j. B. Hart in San Francisco for libel
Gus utterances concerning himself in as
cribing his motive in connection with Kis-
sane to desire to levy blackmail.
Mr.. J. B. Hart, the San Francisco lawyer
was again interviewe yesterday, and cool
ly denied that VIM. Kssane is at present
known in California under the name of
William K. Rogers. If Kissane had beer
in Nicaragua, he said, as a member of
General Walkers expedition, he did not
know it.
The reporter informed Mr.. Hart that
General Darr had telegraphe1 to the
Chemical Bank that he had revealed XII s.
sane's identity. Mr.. Hart replied:
'sWell if that is so suit will be brough
against General Darr in the morning for
blackmail.''
One of the points in the strange history
which received fresh emphasis yesterday
was the original statement concerning the
brother of Kissane mentioned above, VIII
is said to be very prominent lawyer, re
siding in San Francisco.
While the position which William Kis-
sane has achieved in California is said to
have been greatly exaggerated by rumol
and imperfect report, that OF his brother
IS declared to be really great dea
superior. both in a social and political
sense. The lawyer is man to whom.
other len look up with the highest re
spect-a leader in the best private circles,
and the possessor of immense wealth.
Having gained these facts in advance,
the reporter asked Mr.. Hart concerning
them. He did not hesitate to confirm the
story as above related, although he, OF
course, firmly declined to give the name
Of K ssanes brother
ssWhat is his rank as lawyer!" was
asked.
s.He is one of tie three or four foremost
lawyers of California" was the reply.
HAS he held political oficesn
"Yesr